Grandma Kinzler

Last week, the world lost a very special lady; Helen Florence Kinzler - Nick's grandma.  Grandma Kinzler was just recently diagnosed with cancer and while the family knew the prognosis was not good, she passed a lot sooner than everyone thought.  It was a very tough week for Nick's mom Sheri and her family.  But they have managed to get together and share their memories of their mom over the past weeks.  We're very thankful that Sheri planned a gathering for her family on Saturday, June 16; Helen died just two days later on Monday at the age of 76.  Saturday was the last time many family members, including us, got to see her.  She was a fun loving, spunky lady who LOVED her "puppy" - she rarely left home without him!!  She loved to share her Finnish words and stories of her mother and how they grew up.  She was a great cook and Nick's dad couldn't get enough of her German Chocolate Cake!!

This four generation picture was taken at the party at Sheri's house on June 16.

Rest in Peace Grandma Kinzler!  You will be missed!

Busy!

Since I haven't posted anything in just about a month, you probably have figured out, we've been busy!  But just busy with life - nothing really blog-worthy. Here's an update of a few things we've been up to....


Check ONE off the list (of four)!  The first weekend in June we FINALLY got our huge deck stained.  Thanks to my parents and Nick's parents for coming over to help us.  All six of us worked and we started at 9:30 am and didn't finish until 5 pm!!!  That was a huge weight off my shoulders.  Now if it would stop raining we could sit out and enjoy it!  That was the first check off my list of big projects to do before August 15th.... I'm running out of time - yikes!!!!!!!!!!

 Julianne helping me wash the bird poop off the deck before we stained

 

 Keep up the good work Grandmas!

Nick hard at work 

The finished product!

Done!

Last weekend Julianne was in the Miss Hutchinson talent show.  My girlfriend's daughter was running for Miss Hutchinson and reading a monologue about her life for her talent.  She wanted to use "human props" and asked Julianne to be in her skit!  It was a pretty simple part; she just had to play a cute three year-old.  She (I was also there...) sat on stage surrounded by her toys and when Karleen talked about her life as a three year old, the spotlight shown on Julianne.  It was perfect; as soon as the spotlight hit her, Julianne puckered up her lips, put on her lip gloss and gave the crowd a huge smile!  It was fun to be a part of the show - thanks Karleen!!

Julianne and Karleen

Julianne with one of the other "props"

And the other exciting event at our house - Julianne started swimming lessons this week!  So far we've only had two classes, but they've gone well.  At least she isn't screaming and terrified like some of the other kids!!  It's a parent/child class so I am taking lessons with her.  So far she's blown bubbles in the water and jumped off the side into the pool (and I caught her of course!)

First day of "swimming school"